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Friends to Lovers
Always each other’s plus-ones, but never each other’s real dates, two childhood best friends have one last summer wedding to fall in love in this dual-narrative debut — a grown-up The Summer I Turned Pretty, perfect for fans of Emily Henry.
Best friends Joni and Ren have been inseparable since childhood. So when Joni moves across the country for her job, the two devise a creative way to stay in they’ll be each other’s plus-ones every year for wedding season, no matter what else is happening in their lives.
It’s a tradition that works, until a line is crossed and the friendship they once thought was forever is ruined.
Now Joni is back at their families’ shared summer home for her sister’s wedding, and she’s determined to make the week perfect, even if it means faking a friendship with Ren — and avoiding the truth of why they have to fake it in the first place. How hard can it be to pretend to be friends with the person who once knew you best?
But as sunny beach days together turn into starry nights, Joni begins to question what her life is without Ren in it. And when the wedding arrives, bringing past heartaches to the surface, she’ll be forced to decide if loving Ren means letting him go, or if theirs is a love story worth fighting for.
Best friends Joni and Ren have been inseparable since childhood. So when Joni moves across the country for her job, the two devise a creative way to stay in they’ll be each other’s plus-ones every year for wedding season, no matter what else is happening in their lives.
It’s a tradition that works, until a line is crossed and the friendship they once thought was forever is ruined.
Now Joni is back at their families’ shared summer home for her sister’s wedding, and she’s determined to make the week perfect, even if it means faking a friendship with Ren — and avoiding the truth of why they have to fake it in the first place. How hard can it be to pretend to be friends with the person who once knew you best?
But as sunny beach days together turn into starry nights, Joni begins to question what her life is without Ren in it. And when the wedding arrives, bringing past heartaches to the surface, she’ll be forced to decide if loving Ren means letting him go, or if theirs is a love story worth fighting for.
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First published July 22, 2025
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About the author
Sally Blakely
2 books319 followersSally Blakely studied theatre, media arts, English, and education at The University of Montana. When she's not writing, she's reading, or making far too many playlists. She lives in Montana with her husband.
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dnf
May 21, 2025Happy Place meets People We Meet on Vacation? That's what I heard. 👀
Expected Pub Date - 07/22/25
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the advanced digital copy, all thoughts are my own.
Expected Pub Date - 07/22/25
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the advanced digital copy, all thoughts are my own.
July 24, 2025
જ⁀➴ 5 ✰
When I say I want a good friends-to-lovers story, I’m talking about this book!! I’m a HUGE friends-to-lovers addict—like, certified obsessed—and that’s exactly why I requested this book as an ARC. The title alone had me clicking “request” faster than I could blink, lmao. And then, once I realized it also had the second chance trope? Game over. Add those two tropes together, and you’ve completely won me over!!
There’s something deeply special about the friends-to-lovers trope. There’s nothing quite like watching two people who already know and love each other platonically slowly realize that what they feel is so much more. It's a love built on years of trust, shared memories, and emotional vulnerability. That kind of bond makes the eventual romance feel not only believable but incredibly earned. The slow-burn tension—the glances, the almost-confessions, the lingering touches—makes every moment crackle with anticipation. It’s heartwarming and comforting all at once, because there's a certain safety in falling for someone who already knows your quirks, your fears, your history... and chooses to love you anyway. That transition from friendship to something more is the ultimate payoff—it gets me every time.
𓍼 I absolutely LOVED everything about this book—from the writing to the characters to the overall story. It was truly spectacular and such a good summer read. Without a doubt, it’s one of my favorite reads of the year! For a debut novel, this was incredibly well-crafted. The writing was so clean and immersive, and the pacing was just right—smooth, steady, and engaging from start to finish. One thing that stood out to me was the way the flashback chapters were handled. Sometimes flashbacks can feel disruptive or unnecessary, but not here. They were woven in so seamlessly and appeared at the perfect moments, enhancing the emotional impact without ever pulling me out of the story. Honestly, it was just so well done and made the whole reading experience feel effortless in the best way.
When I tell you this book had me on the verge of a heart attack from all the emotions it stirred up—I’m not even being dramatic. There were moments when I genuinely wanted to cry, not because anything devastating was happening, but simply because of how much Joni and Ren meant to each other… and how painfully unaware they were of it. The way they loved each other so quietly, so deeply, without even realizing it—it wrecked me in the most beautiful way.
I was completely glued to this story everywhere with me—reading it in between errands, while waiting in line, even while cooking lunch. No exaggeration, I was flipping pages with one hand and making my meat with the other. That’s how addicted I was. I just couldn’t stop.
𓍼 Another thing I adored was the found family element woven throughout the book. The setting—a beach house during the FMC’s sister’s wedding—added such a cozy, intimate vibe. It felt like I was right there with them, part of the group. The dynamic between the characters was so authentic and full of warmth. I found myself laughing and smiling through their interactions. It made the whole story feel incredibly alive and emotionally resonant. Also, can we talk about the music?? I loved how the author included song mentions throughout the book. I had so much fun listening to the songs as I read—it elevated the whole experience. Sally seriously has great taste in music because every single song mentioned was an absolute chef’s kiss.
ִ ࣪𖤐 If you’re a fan of friends-to-lovers, second chance romance, and a good dose of summer vibes, you need to add this book to your TBR immediately!!!!! I’ve seen a lot of people comparing this to Emily Henry—especially People We Meet on Vacation—and while it definitely gives off similar vibes, don’t panic if you’re not an EmHen fan. I actually hated PWMOV and I’m not a fan of Emily Henry’s writing in general, but I loved this one. So if you’ve been hesitant because of the comparison, trust me: give this book a chance. It deserves it.
𓇼 ⋆ 🌊.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆ 🫧 𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆˖°
ೃ࿐ ⋆˚࿔ Joni 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
I absolutely LOVED Joni’s character—she was such a ִ relatable and lovable protagonist. She’s anxious about her future, unsure of where she’s going, and just trying her best to succeed at her job so that her family can feel proud of her after she made the big move to New York City. That feeling of pressure and uncertainty? So real. Joni might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you're not a fan of characters who overthink everything, but to me, she felt so real and deeply human. I found her easy to root for and connect with.
One of my favorite aspects of her character was her relationship with her sister. You could truly feel the love between them—messy, honest, and supportive in that very real-life siblings kind of way. I also loved how much Joni cared about others. She was so thoughtful and kind, even when she was struggling internally. When she returned to the beach house after being gone for two and a half years, she was scared that the group dynamics had changed without her—that maybe she no longer fit into the rhythm of the family. But seeing everyone welcome her back so warmly and genuinely love her for who she is? It was emotional and comforting. It showed how sometimes we’re much harder on ourselves than those who care about us ever would be.
ೃ࿐⋆˚࿔ Ren 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
MY LOVEEEEEEE. I’m so obsessed with Ren—the same way he’s obsessed with Joni. He’s the literal definition of thoughtful and romantic in the quietest, most heartfelt ways. Like, the man makes her playlists for every possible situation?? That alone would’ve had me falling for him. But it doesn’t stop there—he also goes out of his way to help Joni feel grounded. At one point, she’s anxious in NYC and he literally shows her a video of her favorite view in Oregon just to calm her down. That’s the kind of soft love and emotional support that just melts me.
⤷HE IS GONE FOR HER SO BAD😩😩
Since the book is told entirely from Joni’s point of view, we don’t get a super deep dive into Ren’s inner world. We learn the basics about his life, his personality, and his connection to the group, but I still found myself wishing we got more of him—especially his thoughts. A few chapters from his perspective would’ve been absolute perfection and added even more emotional depth to the story. Still, even without that, he left such a lasting impression. Every little thing he did screamed love, care, and devotion. He’s easily one of my favorite love interests this year.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥˚✿ °. Ren & Joni:
⤷ soulmates❤︎
These two were made for each other—literally. They’ve been best friends since they were three years old, growing up side by side, sharing every milestone, every heartbreak, every small joy. Their bond felt so authentic, so deeply rooted in shared history and understanding. Watching their relationship slowly evolve from friendship into something more was incredibly satisfying and heart-melting.
⟢THE LONGING. THE YEARNING. It had me feral. Like, i genuinely want what they have. The way they were constantly reaching for each other—whether through casual touches, lingering stares, or just being there—it was perfection. There’s something so special about watching two people who know each other inside and out fall in love without even realizing it’s happening. Their connection was full of unspoken feelings and subtle moments that carried so much weight. Every interaction was laced with tenderness, tension, and that delicious slow-burn ache that friends-to-lovers fanatics live for.
They just get each other in that rare, once-in-a-lifetime way. Their inside jokes, their effortless banter, the way they always found each other in a crowded room—it was everything. Every scene with them felt like watching two soulmates orbit closer and closer until they finally collided. I’ll forever be rooting for them. Their relationship felt like home.
Another thing I loved was their sweet tradition of being each other’s plus-one for weddings. Ever since Joni moved to NYC and Ren stayed in Portland, they’ve held onto this ritual—no matter the distance, no matter the timing, they always reunited for weddings. The flashback chapters centered around those moments, and they were some of my favorite parts of the book. Seeing how much they missed each other in the months between, and how those brief reunions always sparked something deeper between them, was just beautiful.
ꨄ︎ friends to lovers (DUHH)
ꨄ︎ summer read
ꨄ︎ second chance
ꨄ︎ found family
ꨄ︎ slow burn
ꨄ︎ forced proximity
⤷ no one notices ⟡ the marias { their song }
⤷ adore you ⟡ harry styles
⤷ ghost of you ⟡ 5sos
⤷ supercut ⟡ lorde
⤷ don’t you (forger about me) ⟡ simple minds
⤷ dancing queen ⟡ abba
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “I think about all the ways he’s sound-tracked my life, tried to tell me things I didn’t know to look for in his meticulous playlists.
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “You’re it for me, Joni, and maybe there’s some day down the line where that isn’t true, but it hasn’t come yet. No matter how hard I’ve tried to will it. And the truth of it is that I’d rather be alone than with someone else. Maybe there’s something sad in that.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”This is Ren, his voice my favorite sound in the word, going to say. like the type of song he once described to me: one that's made a home in you, but also feels new every time.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”But as Ren looks at me with those brown eyes, I feel like everything might have led us to this moment. Like it was always supposed to happen. Like our friendship was one long precursor to this. Like ours is a love story.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”For years, our entire lives, really, I'd assumed friendship was like this: some skip in your heart when they called, overwhelming affection when they picked you up before class or lay next to you under the stars. You were supposed to want to talk to your best friend more than anyone else. And maybe that's all true. But something about the thrill that went through me that first night Ren called—I hadn't let myself think about it for too long.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “Ren sets his glass on a nearby fence post, shrugs off his Jacket, and settles it over my shoulders, standing in front of me and tugging at the lapels like he's trying to bring it tighter around me”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “I study Ren's profile as he looks back up at the stars, all these parts of him l've memorized. His thick eyelashes, the strong line of his jaw, the curve of his neck when his head is angled back like this. Even if our relationship is shifting, he's still him. My favorite person. The realization softens something in me.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “His arms come around me, squeezing, and I feel like l’m home.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”Ren isn’t just some person I can write out. His life will always be irrevocably intertwined with mine.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “Ren told me there are certain songs that can burrow so far into your body that it feels like you're hearing them for the first time, and that there's some kind of magic in that that can't be replicated anywhere else in the universe.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ "Okay, now look at me like you love me," I say as the countdown begins again. I set a hand on either side of Ren's face, shake my hair back from my shoulders. When I look down at him, he's staring up at me, brown eyes gone as soft as l've ever seen them.
"I do love you," he says.
_______
ᝰ.ᐟ pre-read: ᯓᡣ𐭩୭˚.
Finally going to start my summer reads🤸🏻♀️ I’ve seen so many good things about this book so I hope it delivers!!!
I’m kind of scared tho cause people have been saying that it is similar to people we meet on vacation🫣 and I hated that book so let’s see how it goes🤞🏻
also if you voted for another book in my Instagram story asking which book I should read, LOOK AWAY🤫
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹“I think I’m always going to be waiting for just five minutes of you loving me like I love you”⋆𐙚₊˚⊹
When I say I want a good friends-to-lovers story, I’m talking about this book!! I’m a HUGE friends-to-lovers addict—like, certified obsessed—and that’s exactly why I requested this book as an ARC. The title alone had me clicking “request” faster than I could blink, lmao. And then, once I realized it also had the second chance trope? Game over. Add those two tropes together, and you’ve completely won me over!!
There’s something deeply special about the friends-to-lovers trope. There’s nothing quite like watching two people who already know and love each other platonically slowly realize that what they feel is so much more. It's a love built on years of trust, shared memories, and emotional vulnerability. That kind of bond makes the eventual romance feel not only believable but incredibly earned. The slow-burn tension—the glances, the almost-confessions, the lingering touches—makes every moment crackle with anticipation. It’s heartwarming and comforting all at once, because there's a certain safety in falling for someone who already knows your quirks, your fears, your history... and chooses to love you anyway. That transition from friendship to something more is the ultimate payoff—it gets me every time.
𓍼 I absolutely LOVED everything about this book—from the writing to the characters to the overall story. It was truly spectacular and such a good summer read. Without a doubt, it’s one of my favorite reads of the year! For a debut novel, this was incredibly well-crafted. The writing was so clean and immersive, and the pacing was just right—smooth, steady, and engaging from start to finish. One thing that stood out to me was the way the flashback chapters were handled. Sometimes flashbacks can feel disruptive or unnecessary, but not here. They were woven in so seamlessly and appeared at the perfect moments, enhancing the emotional impact without ever pulling me out of the story. Honestly, it was just so well done and made the whole reading experience feel effortless in the best way.
𓍯𓂃"You're still my best friend. And I'm not interested in a life without you in it"𓂃 𓈒𓏸
When I tell you this book had me on the verge of a heart attack from all the emotions it stirred up—I’m not even being dramatic. There were moments when I genuinely wanted to cry, not because anything devastating was happening, but simply because of how much Joni and Ren meant to each other… and how painfully unaware they were of it. The way they loved each other so quietly, so deeply, without even realizing it—it wrecked me in the most beautiful way.
I was completely glued to this story everywhere with me—reading it in between errands, while waiting in line, even while cooking lunch. No exaggeration, I was flipping pages with one hand and making my meat with the other. That’s how addicted I was. I just couldn’t stop.
𓍼 Another thing I adored was the found family element woven throughout the book. The setting—a beach house during the FMC’s sister’s wedding—added such a cozy, intimate vibe. It felt like I was right there with them, part of the group. The dynamic between the characters was so authentic and full of warmth. I found myself laughing and smiling through their interactions. It made the whole story feel incredibly alive and emotionally resonant. Also, can we talk about the music?? I loved how the author included song mentions throughout the book. I had so much fun listening to the songs as I read—it elevated the whole experience. Sally seriously has great taste in music because every single song mentioned was an absolute chef’s kiss.
ִ ࣪𖤐 If you’re a fan of friends-to-lovers, second chance romance, and a good dose of summer vibes, you need to add this book to your TBR immediately!!!!! I’ve seen a lot of people comparing this to Emily Henry—especially People We Meet on Vacation—and while it definitely gives off similar vibes, don’t panic if you’re not an EmHen fan. I actually hated PWMOV and I’m not a fan of Emily Henry’s writing in general, but I loved this one. So if you’ve been hesitant because of the comparison, trust me: give this book a chance. It deserves it.
𓇼 ⋆ 🌊.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆ 🫧 𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆˖°
𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚characters:
ೃ࿐ ⋆˚࿔ Joni 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
I absolutely LOVED Joni’s character—she was such a ִ relatable and lovable protagonist. She’s anxious about her future, unsure of where she’s going, and just trying her best to succeed at her job so that her family can feel proud of her after she made the big move to New York City. That feeling of pressure and uncertainty? So real. Joni might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you're not a fan of characters who overthink everything, but to me, she felt so real and deeply human. I found her easy to root for and connect with.
One of my favorite aspects of her character was her relationship with her sister. You could truly feel the love between them—messy, honest, and supportive in that very real-life siblings kind of way. I also loved how much Joni cared about others. She was so thoughtful and kind, even when she was struggling internally. When she returned to the beach house after being gone for two and a half years, she was scared that the group dynamics had changed without her—that maybe she no longer fit into the rhythm of the family. But seeing everyone welcome her back so warmly and genuinely love her for who she is? It was emotional and comforting. It showed how sometimes we’re much harder on ourselves than those who care about us ever would be.
𓍯𓂃"I'm serious, Joni," Ren goes on. "You're one of us no matter what. Everyone misses you, but no one faults you for not being here." He glances around the room like it represents the house, our families, and I see that mask falling, the best friend I used to know so well starting to show his face. "It's all here for you, whenever you want it.”𓂃 𓈒𓏸
ೃ࿐⋆˚࿔ Ren 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
MY LOVEEEEEEE. I’m so obsessed with Ren—the same way he’s obsessed with Joni. He’s the literal definition of thoughtful and romantic in the quietest, most heartfelt ways. Like, the man makes her playlists for every possible situation?? That alone would’ve had me falling for him. But it doesn’t stop there—he also goes out of his way to help Joni feel grounded. At one point, she’s anxious in NYC and he literally shows her a video of her favorite view in Oregon just to calm her down. That’s the kind of soft love and emotional support that just melts me.
𓍯𓂃"Loving you...it's like my heart exists outside my body, and that just hurts, sometimes. And losing you once... I got this glimpse of a person I didn't want to be.”𓂃 𓈒𓏸
⤷HE IS GONE FOR HER SO BAD😩😩
Since the book is told entirely from Joni’s point of view, we don’t get a super deep dive into Ren’s inner world. We learn the basics about his life, his personality, and his connection to the group, but I still found myself wishing we got more of him—especially his thoughts. A few chapters from his perspective would’ve been absolute perfection and added even more emotional depth to the story. Still, even without that, he left such a lasting impression. Every little thing he did screamed love, care, and devotion. He’s easily one of my favorite love interests this year.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥˚✿ °. Ren & Joni:
⤷ soulmates❤︎
These two were made for each other—literally. They’ve been best friends since they were three years old, growing up side by side, sharing every milestone, every heartbreak, every small joy. Their bond felt so authentic, so deeply rooted in shared history and understanding. Watching their relationship slowly evolve from friendship into something more was incredibly satisfying and heart-melting.
⟢THE LONGING. THE YEARNING. It had me feral. Like, i genuinely want what they have. The way they were constantly reaching for each other—whether through casual touches, lingering stares, or just being there—it was perfection. There’s something so special about watching two people who know each other inside and out fall in love without even realizing it’s happening. Their connection was full of unspoken feelings and subtle moments that carried so much weight. Every interaction was laced with tenderness, tension, and that delicious slow-burn ache that friends-to-lovers fanatics live for.
𓍯𓂃”Ren isn’t just some person I can write out. His life will always be irrevocably intertwined with mine.”𓂃 𓈒𓏸
They just get each other in that rare, once-in-a-lifetime way. Their inside jokes, their effortless banter, the way they always found each other in a crowded room—it was everything. Every scene with them felt like watching two soulmates orbit closer and closer until they finally collided. I’ll forever be rooting for them. Their relationship felt like home.
Another thing I loved was their sweet tradition of being each other’s plus-one for weddings. Ever since Joni moved to NYC and Ren stayed in Portland, they’ve held onto this ritual—no matter the distance, no matter the timing, they always reunited for weddings. The flashback chapters centered around those moments, and they were some of my favorite parts of the book. Seeing how much they missed each other in the months between, and how those brief reunions always sparked something deeper between them, was just beautiful.
⋆౨ৎ ₊˚ 🦢tropes:
ꨄ︎ friends to lovers (DUHH)
ꨄ︎ summer read
ꨄ︎ second chance
ꨄ︎ found family
ꨄ︎ slow burn
ꨄ︎ forced proximity
˖ ݁♬⋆.˚𝄞. Ren & Joni playlist
⤷ no one notices ⟡ the marias { their song }
⤷ adore you ⟡ harry styles
⤷ ghost of you ⟡ 5sos
⤷ supercut ⟡ lorde
⤷ don’t you (forger about me) ⟡ simple minds
⤷ dancing queen ⟡ abba
──★some of my favorite quotes★──
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “I think about all the ways he’s sound-tracked my life, tried to tell me things I didn’t know to look for in his meticulous playlists.
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “You’re it for me, Joni, and maybe there’s some day down the line where that isn’t true, but it hasn’t come yet. No matter how hard I’ve tried to will it. And the truth of it is that I’d rather be alone than with someone else. Maybe there’s something sad in that.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”This is Ren, his voice my favorite sound in the word, going to say. like the type of song he once described to me: one that's made a home in you, but also feels new every time.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”But as Ren looks at me with those brown eyes, I feel like everything might have led us to this moment. Like it was always supposed to happen. Like our friendship was one long precursor to this. Like ours is a love story.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”For years, our entire lives, really, I'd assumed friendship was like this: some skip in your heart when they called, overwhelming affection when they picked you up before class or lay next to you under the stars. You were supposed to want to talk to your best friend more than anyone else. And maybe that's all true. But something about the thrill that went through me that first night Ren called—I hadn't let myself think about it for too long.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “Ren sets his glass on a nearby fence post, shrugs off his Jacket, and settles it over my shoulders, standing in front of me and tugging at the lapels like he's trying to bring it tighter around me”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “I study Ren's profile as he looks back up at the stars, all these parts of him l've memorized. His thick eyelashes, the strong line of his jaw, the curve of his neck when his head is angled back like this. Even if our relationship is shifting, he's still him. My favorite person. The realization softens something in me.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “His arms come around me, squeezing, and I feel like l’m home.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ ”Ren isn’t just some person I can write out. His life will always be irrevocably intertwined with mine.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ “Ren told me there are certain songs that can burrow so far into your body that it feels like you're hearing them for the first time, and that there's some kind of magic in that that can't be replicated anywhere else in the universe.”
┆ ⤿ 💌 ༝ "Okay, now look at me like you love me," I say as the countdown begins again. I set a hand on either side of Ren's face, shake my hair back from my shoulders. When I look down at him, he's staring up at me, brown eyes gone as soft as l've ever seen them.
"I do love you," he says.
_______
ᝰ.ᐟ pre-read: ᯓᡣ𐭩୭˚.
Finally going to start my summer reads🤸🏻♀️ I’ve seen so many good things about this book so I hope it delivers!!!
I’m kind of scared tho cause people have been saying that it is similar to people we meet on vacation🫣 and I hated that book so let’s see how it goes🤞🏻
also if you voted for another book in my Instagram story asking which book I should read, LOOK AWAY🤫
August 5, 2025
Should’ve stayed friends. That’s my main takeaway from Friends to Lovers.
This book had so much potential, but the title alone sets up the wrong expectations. It’s a trope, pure and simple. I’m honestly growing tired of books being named after tropes. If it weren’t for the comparison to People We Meet on Vacation and Happy Place, both books I loved, I probably wouldn’t have picked this one up at all. But here I am, disappointed.
I’m a huge fan of second-chance romance and friends-to-lovers stories, so I thought I’d be all in on this one. Unfortunately, by the time the romance kicked in, I couldn’t connect with it at all. The chemistry between Joni and Ren was strongest when they were friends—those were the moments I enjoyed most. But once they crossed into romance, it felt forced. It seemed like the book had to make them lovers because of the title, not because their relationship had naturally evolved into one.
The first half of the book had me hooked. The friendship dynamic was fun—sharing playlists, jokes, and the way their past was woven through the narrative. There was warmth in their connection, and I was hoping for a heartfelt story about the complexities of a second-chance friendship. But as the romance took centre stage, the emotional depth I had been anticipating never materialised. There was no slow buildup, no real emotional tension. It just happened. The shift from friends to lovers felt jarring, and I never bought into their relationship. The connection felt unearned, and it completely drained the magic from their dynamic.
The side characters didn’t help, either. They were either annoying or forgettable, serving no purpose other than to distract from the main storyline. Instead of enhancing Joni and Ren’s relationship, they felt like noise, pulling attention away from what should’ve been a more intimate, character-driven narrative.
The writing had its moments, but also felt forced at times. There were sections where it felt like the author was trying too hard to inject pop culture references and trendy slang into the story, and it just didn’t fit. These moments pulled me out of the emotional beats and made it harder for me to stay engaged with the characters.
And now, finishing the book and reflecting on it, I realise I don’t even have the words to describe Joni and Ren—not because they were poorly written, but because I never connected with them enough to really feel anything about them. I couldn’t understand their motivations or why I should care about their relationship. That, for me, is the biggest disappointment. Despite all the setup, I never felt like I truly knew them, and that’s where the book missed the mark.
Bottom line, this had a lot of promise, but the forced romance and lack of emotional connection made it difficult for me to enjoy. It could’ve been a powerful story about rekindling a deep friendship, but instead, it tried to squeeze in a romance that didn’t feel authentic.
Thank you Harper Collins for the ARC.
This book had so much potential, but the title alone sets up the wrong expectations. It’s a trope, pure and simple. I’m honestly growing tired of books being named after tropes. If it weren’t for the comparison to People We Meet on Vacation and Happy Place, both books I loved, I probably wouldn’t have picked this one up at all. But here I am, disappointed.
I’m a huge fan of second-chance romance and friends-to-lovers stories, so I thought I’d be all in on this one. Unfortunately, by the time the romance kicked in, I couldn’t connect with it at all. The chemistry between Joni and Ren was strongest when they were friends—those were the moments I enjoyed most. But once they crossed into romance, it felt forced. It seemed like the book had to make them lovers because of the title, not because their relationship had naturally evolved into one.
The first half of the book had me hooked. The friendship dynamic was fun—sharing playlists, jokes, and the way their past was woven through the narrative. There was warmth in their connection, and I was hoping for a heartfelt story about the complexities of a second-chance friendship. But as the romance took centre stage, the emotional depth I had been anticipating never materialised. There was no slow buildup, no real emotional tension. It just happened. The shift from friends to lovers felt jarring, and I never bought into their relationship. The connection felt unearned, and it completely drained the magic from their dynamic.
The side characters didn’t help, either. They were either annoying or forgettable, serving no purpose other than to distract from the main storyline. Instead of enhancing Joni and Ren’s relationship, they felt like noise, pulling attention away from what should’ve been a more intimate, character-driven narrative.
The writing had its moments, but also felt forced at times. There were sections where it felt like the author was trying too hard to inject pop culture references and trendy slang into the story, and it just didn’t fit. These moments pulled me out of the emotional beats and made it harder for me to stay engaged with the characters.
And now, finishing the book and reflecting on it, I realise I don’t even have the words to describe Joni and Ren—not because they were poorly written, but because I never connected with them enough to really feel anything about them. I couldn’t understand their motivations or why I should care about their relationship. That, for me, is the biggest disappointment. Despite all the setup, I never felt like I truly knew them, and that’s where the book missed the mark.
Bottom line, this had a lot of promise, but the forced romance and lack of emotional connection made it difficult for me to enjoy. It could’ve been a powerful story about rekindling a deep friendship, but instead, it tried to squeeze in a romance that didn’t feel authentic.
Thank you Harper Collins for the ARC.
July 31, 2025
જ⁀➴ 2 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Sally Blakely, and Harlequin Trade Publishing (Canary Street Press) for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Friends to Lovers is out now!
🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀
No. Just...yeah, no. For a book that's getting a ton of buzz and hype on bookish socials now, I figured I'd love it, and this would seal itself as one of the best summertime romance reads. I didn't necessarily have a problem with the main characters, but the plot and the side characters is what made me give the book a giant side eye in some places (*coughchapter25cough*).
Did I get People We Meet on Vacation vibes from this? Yes; in fact, I think the main skeleton of the plot is exactly the same. With that being said, do I see how this is basically almost an exact carbon copy of it? 1,000% yes. Do I believe a TON of people are still going to love this? Also yes. I just don’t think it was for me, and that’s saying a lot because I love a good friends-to-lovers trope in a romance story.
(And no, I'm NOT saying that the author plagiarized PWMOV! The plot lines are just EXTREMELY similar!) I know I've also seen comparisons to Happy Place and The Summer of Broken Rules, but I haven't read either yet to have a stance on that. From what little bit I know about The Summer of Broken Rules and Happy Place, I can see where the comparisons come from when other people are talking about it, though.
Lifelong friends Joni and Ren have been through each other's ups and downs across almost 3 decades of friendship. When they take jobs on opposite ends of the country, they form a pact to be each other's plus ones to every wedding they get invited to as a way to spend time with each other in person. When Joni's sister, Stevie, gets married, Joni travels back to Portland, Oregon to help prepare for the wedding as the maid of honor. Ren is also there, but the issue is that Joni and Ren haven't spoken to each other for 2.5 years leading up to Stevie's wedding. Will they reconcile, or will this be the end of their friendship, and what else could've been?
For starters, I LOVE the summery vibes I get from the book! If you're looking for the full, immersive experience, I would read this by a lake or as a beach read by the ocean, since the story takes place right on the Oregon coast. Add in a bonfire and a sunset in the background, and that's the vibe this book gave me. Bonus points if you bring this book with you while you're traveling to/going to a beach wedding.
As for Joni and Ren, I could definitely tell that they have a deeper connection. After all, they've been friends for decades! I can sense the tension between them and what could've been when they were back at the lake house for Stevie's wedding. The capture the flag scene?! I could feel the sparks flying off the page. However, aside from all of that, based on what we know about the flashbacks to the other weddings they've attended over the last few years, it didn't really give me "relationship" vibes. I wanted more tension, more yearning, and feeling like they were constantly tiptoeing the line and dancing around the idea of being friends and something more.
I liked how their little tradition of being each other's plus ones stayed and held true throughout the years, no matter their schedules, but I legitimately felt that their chemistry at these weddings didn't scream "you need to get together NOW" to me. It legitimately just felt like 2 friends going to a wedding. That's it. It's literally no different than me bringing my best friend of 13 years along to every pharmacy school function/event I had during school, even though she wasn't in pharmacy school herself. If you're going to do all these flashbacks to set up a second-chance romance between friends trying to turn them into lovers, at least make it seem like they want to kiss, at LEAST.
Now, onto one of my biggest pet peeves about the story: Ren and Joni's families. Holy crap. I wanted to rip my hair out. If you've seen my review for Love Redesigned by Lauren Asher, you'll know how much I absolutely HATE nosy family members. Like, these characters are pushing 30. They're fully-grown adults who have jobs and have been living on their own for years, and they've been doing just fine. It's one thing to be concerned and looking out for your child's wellbeing, but I think Joni's mom takes the award for most insufferable parent I've ever read about in a rom-com. I won't say she's the absolute worst parent in the world, but the way she was SO overbearing and micromanaging everything about Joni's life made me so mad. Like, I understand why Joni never wants to visit anymore. The way her dad was also useless? Like, "oh you should talk to your mom, she's a therapist, she can help you," like COME ON man, there's a reason why she doesn't, and it's a legitimate reason, too! Why can't she talk to YOU, bro?
Oh, and Stevie?! Stevie had ONE JOB. ONE. JOB. All she had to do was keep her mouth shut. (If you know, you know.) Even Sasha, Ren's sister? Absolutely horrible, the lot of them. Oh, and Ren's parents? Constantly talking about when Ren and Joni were each going to get married because they were the last ones in their families to get married, and "oh no, when are we going to have more grandchildren so we can spend more money on expanding our house to fit everyone inside when we visit every summer," like LEAVE REN AND JONI ALONE, GUYS!
The side characters ruined the entire book for me. I'm being dead serious. I didn't necessarily have problems with Ren and Joni, but the massive crashout the characters had at the end made me roll my eyes so hard. I legitimately put my phone down and stared at the invisible camera in my living room like Jim from The Office with a "you've got to be kidding me" look on my face.
Last, but certainly not least, I absolutely hated the way the story ended. I just didn't feel like everything was fully resolved between Ren and Joni. It felt like more needed to be said and done, and to me, it sounded like they didn't even know what they wanted to do, either. As we learn more information about why they had a massive falling out as the story progresses, I also rolled my eyes because I ah...also hate this particular trope that I won't mention because it'll spoil the book. Like, none of this would've happened if they just did this one particular thing that I won't mention, so I'll leave it at that.
Overall, while I thought a second-chance friends-to-lovers story would've been right up my alley, this fell flat for me. With the lack of chemistry throughout most of the story, unbearable side characters, and a shaky ending, I was left wanting more and thinking that something was missing. This is the author's debut, and I loved the writing style! I look forward to seeing what she has in store next, but this book wasn't for me. I can see how other people will thoroughly enjoy this, though, and know that I'm in the minority here.
🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: Got influenced by Maria on Bookstagram to read this so here I am! I've had the ARC sitting in my NetGalley shelf for so long and now I'm getting around to reading it! I've heard this gives a ton of People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry vibes, so I can't wait to see how I like it!🩵☀️🌊
(P.S. This is written by a debut author, and I LOVE supporting debut authors and their books!)
This is ARC 8/16 for my July 2025 ARC reading schedule, and ARC 2/3 for my next deadline of July 22nd!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sally Blakely, and Harlequin Trade Publishing (Canary Street Press) for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Friends to Lovers is out now!
"I've never loved someone like I love Ren. Like every time we come back together, we're discovering each other anew again."
🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀
No. Just...yeah, no. For a book that's getting a ton of buzz and hype on bookish socials now, I figured I'd love it, and this would seal itself as one of the best summertime romance reads. I didn't necessarily have a problem with the main characters, but the plot and the side characters is what made me give the book a giant side eye in some places (*coughchapter25cough*).
Did I get People We Meet on Vacation vibes from this? Yes; in fact, I think the main skeleton of the plot is exactly the same. With that being said, do I see how this is basically almost an exact carbon copy of it? 1,000% yes. Do I believe a TON of people are still going to love this? Also yes. I just don’t think it was for me, and that’s saying a lot because I love a good friends-to-lovers trope in a romance story.
(And no, I'm NOT saying that the author plagiarized PWMOV! The plot lines are just EXTREMELY similar!) I know I've also seen comparisons to Happy Place and The Summer of Broken Rules, but I haven't read either yet to have a stance on that. From what little bit I know about The Summer of Broken Rules and Happy Place, I can see where the comparisons come from when other people are talking about it, though.
Lifelong friends Joni and Ren have been through each other's ups and downs across almost 3 decades of friendship. When they take jobs on opposite ends of the country, they form a pact to be each other's plus ones to every wedding they get invited to as a way to spend time with each other in person. When Joni's sister, Stevie, gets married, Joni travels back to Portland, Oregon to help prepare for the wedding as the maid of honor. Ren is also there, but the issue is that Joni and Ren haven't spoken to each other for 2.5 years leading up to Stevie's wedding. Will they reconcile, or will this be the end of their friendship, and what else could've been?
For starters, I LOVE the summery vibes I get from the book! If you're looking for the full, immersive experience, I would read this by a lake or as a beach read by the ocean, since the story takes place right on the Oregon coast. Add in a bonfire and a sunset in the background, and that's the vibe this book gave me. Bonus points if you bring this book with you while you're traveling to/going to a beach wedding.
As for Joni and Ren, I could definitely tell that they have a deeper connection. After all, they've been friends for decades! I can sense the tension between them and what could've been when they were back at the lake house for Stevie's wedding. The capture the flag scene?! I could feel the sparks flying off the page. However, aside from all of that, based on what we know about the flashbacks to the other weddings they've attended over the last few years, it didn't really give me "relationship" vibes. I wanted more tension, more yearning, and feeling like they were constantly tiptoeing the line and dancing around the idea of being friends and something more.
I liked how their little tradition of being each other's plus ones stayed and held true throughout the years, no matter their schedules, but I legitimately felt that their chemistry at these weddings didn't scream "you need to get together NOW" to me. It legitimately just felt like 2 friends going to a wedding. That's it. It's literally no different than me bringing my best friend of 13 years along to every pharmacy school function/event I had during school, even though she wasn't in pharmacy school herself. If you're going to do all these flashbacks to set up a second-chance romance between friends trying to turn them into lovers, at least make it seem like they want to kiss, at LEAST.
Now, onto one of my biggest pet peeves about the story: Ren and Joni's families. Holy crap. I wanted to rip my hair out. If you've seen my review for Love Redesigned by Lauren Asher, you'll know how much I absolutely HATE nosy family members. Like, these characters are pushing 30. They're fully-grown adults who have jobs and have been living on their own for years, and they've been doing just fine. It's one thing to be concerned and looking out for your child's wellbeing, but I think Joni's mom takes the award for most insufferable parent I've ever read about in a rom-com. I won't say she's the absolute worst parent in the world, but the way she was SO overbearing and micromanaging everything about Joni's life made me so mad. Like, I understand why Joni never wants to visit anymore. The way her dad was also useless? Like, "oh you should talk to your mom, she's a therapist, she can help you," like COME ON man, there's a reason why she doesn't, and it's a legitimate reason, too! Why can't she talk to YOU, bro?
Oh, and Stevie?! Stevie had ONE JOB. ONE. JOB. All she had to do was keep her mouth shut. (If you know, you know.) Even Sasha, Ren's sister? Absolutely horrible, the lot of them. Oh, and Ren's parents? Constantly talking about when Ren and Joni were each going to get married because they were the last ones in their families to get married, and "oh no, when are we going to have more grandchildren so we can spend more money on expanding our house to fit everyone inside when we visit every summer," like LEAVE REN AND JONI ALONE, GUYS!
The side characters ruined the entire book for me. I'm being dead serious. I didn't necessarily have problems with Ren and Joni, but the massive crashout the characters had at the end made me roll my eyes so hard. I legitimately put my phone down and stared at the invisible camera in my living room like Jim from The Office with a "you've got to be kidding me" look on my face.
Last, but certainly not least, I absolutely hated the way the story ended. I just didn't feel like everything was fully resolved between Ren and Joni. It felt like more needed to be said and done, and to me, it sounded like they didn't even know what they wanted to do, either. As we learn more information about why they had a massive falling out as the story progresses, I also rolled my eyes because I ah...also hate this particular trope that I won't mention because it'll spoil the book. Like, none of this would've happened if they just did this one particular thing that I won't mention, so I'll leave it at that.
Overall, while I thought a second-chance friends-to-lovers story would've been right up my alley, this fell flat for me. With the lack of chemistry throughout most of the story, unbearable side characters, and a shaky ending, I was left wanting more and thinking that something was missing. This is the author's debut, and I loved the writing style! I look forward to seeing what she has in store next, but this book wasn't for me. I can see how other people will thoroughly enjoy this, though, and know that I'm in the minority here.
🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°🫧 🌊⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: Got influenced by Maria on Bookstagram to read this so here I am! I've had the ARC sitting in my NetGalley shelf for so long and now I'm getting around to reading it! I've heard this gives a ton of People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry vibes, so I can't wait to see how I like it!🩵☀️🌊
(P.S. This is written by a debut author, and I LOVE supporting debut authors and their books!)
This is ARC 8/16 for my July 2025 ARC reading schedule, and ARC 2/3 for my next deadline of July 22nd!
May 25, 2025
A moving and emotionally rich summer romance that feels like a warm breeze and a long-overdue heart-to-heart
This stunning debut offers a slow-burning love story wrapped in nostalgia, longing, and second chances—all set against a dreamy summer backdrop on the Pacific Northwest coast. Told through a seamless dual-timeline structure, the novel follows Joni and Ren, childhood best friends turned platonic plus-ones, as they reunite after years of silence for one last wedding that may change everything. With each chapter, the story unfolds like a photo album—sun-drenched days, charged glances, and deeply buried feelings that slowly resurface. Their connection is undeniable, but timing, fear, and the ache of growing up have kept them apart.
What sets this book apart is its emotional depth—Joni’s inner journey of vulnerability and identity is handled with care and relatability, while Ren’s quiet devotion makes your heart ache in the best way. There’s a familiarity here for anyone who's ever loved a friend too quietly for too long. The author’s lyrical prose and thoughtful pacing make the “will-they-won’t-they” tension truly resonate. It’s romantic without being saccharine, tender without being overly sentimental, and satisfying without being predictable.
Perfect for fans of Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation and Annabel Monaghan’s Summer Romance, this story captures the bittersweet beauty of growing up alongside someone you love—and finally realizing they’ve always been more than just your plus-one.
A huge, heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for providing a digital reviewer copy of this touching and unforgettable romance—I genuinely enjoyed every second of it!
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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This stunning debut offers a slow-burning love story wrapped in nostalgia, longing, and second chances—all set against a dreamy summer backdrop on the Pacific Northwest coast. Told through a seamless dual-timeline structure, the novel follows Joni and Ren, childhood best friends turned platonic plus-ones, as they reunite after years of silence for one last wedding that may change everything. With each chapter, the story unfolds like a photo album—sun-drenched days, charged glances, and deeply buried feelings that slowly resurface. Their connection is undeniable, but timing, fear, and the ache of growing up have kept them apart.
What sets this book apart is its emotional depth—Joni’s inner journey of vulnerability and identity is handled with care and relatability, while Ren’s quiet devotion makes your heart ache in the best way. There’s a familiarity here for anyone who's ever loved a friend too quietly for too long. The author’s lyrical prose and thoughtful pacing make the “will-they-won’t-they” tension truly resonate. It’s romantic without being saccharine, tender without being overly sentimental, and satisfying without being predictable.
Perfect for fans of Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation and Annabel Monaghan’s Summer Romance, this story captures the bittersweet beauty of growing up alongside someone you love—and finally realizing they’ve always been more than just your plus-one.
A huge, heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for providing a digital reviewer copy of this touching and unforgettable romance—I genuinely enjoyed every second of it!
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
May 9, 2025
If "Happy Place" and "People We Meet on Vacation" had a baby, it would be this book. So freaking adorable!!
June 5, 2025
this was going so well... until it wasn’t.
the entire time i was reading this i was like ‘oh this feels really familiar but also like something’s missing?’ then i was looking at some of the reviews and SO MANY said this was like a pwmov knockoff and honestly yeah. that perfectly sums up what you need to know about this book. it felt like someone trying to he emily henry but, like, nobody is emily henry except em hen herself, you know?
i’d also like to remind everyone that friends to lovers isn’t my fav trope so i think if that’s a trope you enjoy then you should give this a shot anyway! like no, i don’t think you’ll be blown away or anything, but you’d prob enjoy this more than i did anyway.
thank you for netgalley & harlequin for the arc! all opinions are my own <3
pre-read:
got the arc even though i hate the trope that is quite literally the title of the book??? this is gonna end badly i just know it but let's see ig?
the entire time i was reading this i was like ‘oh this feels really familiar but also like something’s missing?’ then i was looking at some of the reviews and SO MANY said this was like a pwmov knockoff and honestly yeah. that perfectly sums up what you need to know about this book. it felt like someone trying to he emily henry but, like, nobody is emily henry except em hen herself, you know?
i’d also like to remind everyone that friends to lovers isn’t my fav trope so i think if that’s a trope you enjoy then you should give this a shot anyway! like no, i don’t think you’ll be blown away or anything, but you’d prob enjoy this more than i did anyway.
thank you for netgalley & harlequin for the arc! all opinions are my own <3
pre-read:
got the arc even though i hate the trope that is quite literally the title of the book??? this is gonna end badly i just know it but let's see ig?
July 24, 2025
4.5⭐️ Joni and Ren have been best friends since childhood. When Joni moves cross country, the two make a pact to be each others plus one to every wedding they are invited to. But when lines become blurred and their friendship takes a hit, it will take a summer reunion for her sister’s wedding to finally force them to confront what went wrong.
The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is one of my absolute favorite books so when I started this one, it was practically love at first read. While I was a little nervous that it might be a little too close to the plot line of PWMOV, it shaped shifted into something more unique as the story continued.
Friends to lovers and second chance romance may just be my favorite trope combo period. The angst, the nostalgia, the inner turmoil and the intense chemistry all help to amp up the stakes. As soon as we meet Joni and Ren, and get a hint of what went wrong, it’s hard not to be all in. You could feel the tension between them jump off the page, as they mourned the loss of what had been between them while trying to celebrate. Add in the wonderful found family/family reunion vibes and this book is just what I hoped for - angsty, swoony, fun, and full of heart.
I cannot believe this is Sally Blakely’s debut. I am already so excited for book number two.
Read if you like:
▪️friends to lovers
▪️second chance romance
▪️forced proximity
▪️one bed
▪️summer vacations
▪️wedding hijinks
▪️People We Meet on Vacation
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Canary Street Press and HTP Books for the advanced copy.
The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is one of my absolute favorite books so when I started this one, it was practically love at first read. While I was a little nervous that it might be a little too close to the plot line of PWMOV, it shaped shifted into something more unique as the story continued.
Friends to lovers and second chance romance may just be my favorite trope combo period. The angst, the nostalgia, the inner turmoil and the intense chemistry all help to amp up the stakes. As soon as we meet Joni and Ren, and get a hint of what went wrong, it’s hard not to be all in. You could feel the tension between them jump off the page, as they mourned the loss of what had been between them while trying to celebrate. Add in the wonderful found family/family reunion vibes and this book is just what I hoped for - angsty, swoony, fun, and full of heart.
I cannot believe this is Sally Blakely’s debut. I am already so excited for book number two.
Read if you like:
▪️friends to lovers
▪️second chance romance
▪️forced proximity
▪️one bed
▪️summer vacations
▪️wedding hijinks
▪️People We Meet on Vacation
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Canary Street Press and HTP Books for the advanced copy.
August 1, 2025
“I thought I'd do anything to be with you, and I'm sure I'll hate myself for saying this, but I don't know if I can be with you and be worried that every time things get complicated, you might leave again.” 🥹
This felt like an Emily Henry summer read in all the best ways heartfelt, a little messy, and full of tension you can’t help but root for. Joni and Ren were childhood best friends who haven’t spoken in years, but when Joni’s sister is getting married, she needs a date and Ren shows up. Fake dating kicks off, old feelings resurface and suddenly they’re stuck under the same roof for a whole week pretending they’re fine when they’re very much not. I loved the mix of fake dating, forced proximity, and that whole “we’ve known each other forever but can’t admit how we feel” dynamic.
The dual timeline was done so well everything flowed perfectly without any confusion. Watching past and present slowly come together made their story hit even harder. Joni and Ren’s relationship felt so real, full of messy emotions and missed chances, and by the end, I was soft about everything they’d been through. Just a genuinely warm and well written love story
Thank you Netgalley for the arc!
This felt like an Emily Henry summer read in all the best ways heartfelt, a little messy, and full of tension you can’t help but root for. Joni and Ren were childhood best friends who haven’t spoken in years, but when Joni’s sister is getting married, she needs a date and Ren shows up. Fake dating kicks off, old feelings resurface and suddenly they’re stuck under the same roof for a whole week pretending they’re fine when they’re very much not. I loved the mix of fake dating, forced proximity, and that whole “we’ve known each other forever but can’t admit how we feel” dynamic.
The dual timeline was done so well everything flowed perfectly without any confusion. Watching past and present slowly come together made their story hit even harder. Joni and Ren’s relationship felt so real, full of messy emotions and missed chances, and by the end, I was soft about everything they’d been through. Just a genuinely warm and well written love story
Thank you Netgalley for the arc!
February 26, 2025
~post read~
oh my god. this was literally what would happen if people we meet on vacation and the summer of broken rules had a baby. no joke. i love this book 😭😭
~preread~
…i’ll bite.
features
- weddings
- fake dating
- friends to lovers
- second chance?
- childhood friends
- forced proximity
^ the tropes omg 🔥
>> thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc. all thoughts are my own <3
oh my god. this was literally what would happen if people we meet on vacation and the summer of broken rules had a baby. no joke. i love this book 😭😭
~preread~
…i’ll bite.
features
- weddings
- fake dating
- friends to lovers
- second chance?
- childhood friends
- forced proximity
^ the tropes omg 🔥
>> thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc. all thoughts are my own <3
July 27, 2025
This was such a fun summer read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was giving Happy Place, People we Meet on Vacation, and The Summer of Broken Rules vibes!! If you loved any of those books then I think you’ll definitely enjoy this one!
The second chance and friends to lovers tropes are both slowly becoming my favorites I think! It’s so cute to read the flashbacks in books like this. The only thing I didn’t love was that I found bits and pieces to be very slow and boring. I think this could’ve been shorter (which is saying a lot because it’s only 350 pages). I really enjoyed the beginning and the ending but almost everything in between felt very slow.
But I did enjoy it and it was a good summer read! Definitely gave Emily Henry vibes so this is perfect if you’ve already read all of her books and are looking for something similar!
some quotes that I liked! <3
"He chuckles, gazes out at the gray ocean. "Joni," he says softly. "I think I'm always going to be waiting for just five minutes of you loving me like I love you."
"You're it for me, Joni, and maybe there's some day down the line where that isn't true, but it hasn't come yet. No matter how hard I've tried to will it. And the truth of it is that I'd rather be alone than with someone else. Maybe there's something sad in that."
"Loving you..it's like my heart exists outside my body, and that just hurts, sometimes. And losing you once... I got this glimpse of a person I didn't want to be."
"For the last two and a half years, I've drifted off into space, meandering alone, existing but not in the way I really want to, telling myself it was fine, that I didn't really need anybody. But this week, as I zipped back into orbit again, finding that center to spin around, I've realized how foolish that is. Needing someone isn't some weakness. In fact, it might be the whole point."
It was giving Happy Place, People we Meet on Vacation, and The Summer of Broken Rules vibes!! If you loved any of those books then I think you’ll definitely enjoy this one!
The second chance and friends to lovers tropes are both slowly becoming my favorites I think! It’s so cute to read the flashbacks in books like this. The only thing I didn’t love was that I found bits and pieces to be very slow and boring. I think this could’ve been shorter (which is saying a lot because it’s only 350 pages). I really enjoyed the beginning and the ending but almost everything in between felt very slow.
But I did enjoy it and it was a good summer read! Definitely gave Emily Henry vibes so this is perfect if you’ve already read all of her books and are looking for something similar!
some quotes that I liked! <3
"He chuckles, gazes out at the gray ocean. "Joni," he says softly. "I think I'm always going to be waiting for just five minutes of you loving me like I love you."
"You're it for me, Joni, and maybe there's some day down the line where that isn't true, but it hasn't come yet. No matter how hard I've tried to will it. And the truth of it is that I'd rather be alone than with someone else. Maybe there's something sad in that."
"Loving you..it's like my heart exists outside my body, and that just hurts, sometimes. And losing you once... I got this glimpse of a person I didn't want to be."
"For the last two and a half years, I've drifted off into space, meandering alone, existing but not in the way I really want to, telling myself it was fine, that I didn't really need anybody. But this week, as I zipped back into orbit again, finding that center to spin around, I've realized how foolish that is. Needing someone isn't some weakness. In fact, it might be the whole point."
April 21, 2025
This book is a combination of people we meet on vacation, happy place and summer of broken rules!! It was so good and really tugged at my heartstrings 🥹 I just love when everyone gets together for a big event in a book and there's always a few people harbouring secrets and everything comes out at the worst possible moment 🤭
Joni and Ren have been best friends since they were 3 but they've never crossed that line until they eventually did and everything comes crashing down. The book alternates between the past and present and it was done so smoothly that I couldn't put the book down. The entire book is so beautifully written and descriptive that I felt like I was right there at the summer beach house with the characters. It's the perfect summer read.
The tension between the main characters? WHEW, incredible. I was giggling and kicking my feet multiple times 🤭 I was rooting so hard for them, so my only complaint is that I wish we got to see a little more of their happy ever after.
Tropes:
☀️best friends to lovers (duh)
☀️he falls first
☀️second chance
☀️forced proximity
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press and NetGalley for the arc!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
Joni and Ren have been best friends since they were 3 but they've never crossed that line until they eventually did and everything comes crashing down. The book alternates between the past and present and it was done so smoothly that I couldn't put the book down. The entire book is so beautifully written and descriptive that I felt like I was right there at the summer beach house with the characters. It's the perfect summer read.
The tension between the main characters? WHEW, incredible. I was giggling and kicking my feet multiple times 🤭 I was rooting so hard for them, so my only complaint is that I wish we got to see a little more of their happy ever after.
Tropes:
☀️best friends to lovers (duh)
☀️he falls first
☀️second chance
☀️forced proximity
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press and NetGalley for the arc!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
August 14, 2025
Friends to lovers is a trope that’s hit or miss for me, but thankfully I ended up enjoying this book for the most part.
It was a sweet read and I really liked the female lead Joni. She was kind and supportive, especially when it came to her sister Stevie. She also had a tendency to overthink things and constantly worried about her future, which I found relatable.
I thought the author did a great job with the amount of yearning she injected into the story as well. I could feel how much history and care Joni and Ren had for each other, but somehow they were never able to move beyond being just friends.
However, I feel like romance books work best when we get both the male and female lead’s POV. I really wanted to know what Ren was thinking and feeling in certain situations. It was just a missed opportunity in my opinion. It made it harder for me to understand Ren and he came off as rather one-dimensional for me. I also wasn’t a fan of the miscommunication trope being used to ruin the possibility of a relationship between Joni and Ren in the flashbacks. It’s my least favourite trope and was cliché and poorly executed.
Despite those issues, it was still a cute summer read and I had a good time reading it.
It was a sweet read and I really liked the female lead Joni. She was kind and supportive, especially when it came to her sister Stevie. She also had a tendency to overthink things and constantly worried about her future, which I found relatable.
I thought the author did a great job with the amount of yearning she injected into the story as well. I could feel how much history and care Joni and Ren had for each other, but somehow they were never able to move beyond being just friends.
However, I feel like romance books work best when we get both the male and female lead’s POV. I really wanted to know what Ren was thinking and feeling in certain situations. It was just a missed opportunity in my opinion. It made it harder for me to understand Ren and he came off as rather one-dimensional for me. I also wasn’t a fan of the miscommunication trope being used to ruin the possibility of a relationship between Joni and Ren in the flashbacks. It’s my least favourite trope and was cliché and poorly executed.
Despite those issues, it was still a cute summer read and I had a good time reading it.
July 27, 2025
2.5💫
ughhh im so glad this is over!!!! i was so excited for this one and it was definitely an anticipated release for me this summer because i am sucker for second chance romances, but this fell completely flat. i think my main problem was the lack of chemistry between our two main characters. the setting was fun, i loved the plot, but there was absolutely no chemistry between the characters at any point. there were giving off such friend vibes the entire time. i think i would have enjoyed this more if we were given ren's pov as well because he liked her for so much longer than she liked him, so all the flashback chapters were joni having friendship only feelings for him because its how she truly felt. i wish the whole book wasn't joni and her friendship only vibes towards ren because it would have made the book so much better to see them in any sort of romantic relationship. the present chapters of them were awkward and bland as well, and i was just overall disappointed in this one.
the side characters were kind of annoying and i hated the way the parent micromanaged oh my gosh. i would never come home if i had parents like theirs. even joni's sister was so disrespectful of her boundaries and privacy. wasnt really a fan of any of the characters in the book tbh.
i usually donate or sell the books i rate under 3 stars because i dont need them on my shelf, but i might keep this one because the edges are so adorable. i can just put it on my shelf backwards and show off the edges haha
ughhh im so glad this is over!!!! i was so excited for this one and it was definitely an anticipated release for me this summer because i am sucker for second chance romances, but this fell completely flat. i think my main problem was the lack of chemistry between our two main characters. the setting was fun, i loved the plot, but there was absolutely no chemistry between the characters at any point. there were giving off such friend vibes the entire time. i think i would have enjoyed this more if we were given ren's pov as well because he liked her for so much longer than she liked him, so all the flashback chapters were joni having friendship only feelings for him because its how she truly felt. i wish the whole book wasn't joni and her friendship only vibes towards ren because it would have made the book so much better to see them in any sort of romantic relationship. the present chapters of them were awkward and bland as well, and i was just overall disappointed in this one.
the side characters were kind of annoying and i hated the way the parent micromanaged oh my gosh. i would never come home if i had parents like theirs. even joni's sister was so disrespectful of her boundaries and privacy. wasnt really a fan of any of the characters in the book tbh.
i usually donate or sell the books i rate under 3 stars because i dont need them on my shelf, but i might keep this one because the edges are so adorable. i can just put it on my shelf backwards and show off the edges haha
December 31, 2025
3.5 stars ⭐️
—
3 chapters in & I can see the happy place x pwmov comparisons 🥺 I hope this hits!
—
3 chapters in & I can see the happy place x pwmov comparisons 🥺 I hope this hits!
May 12, 2025
attempted people we meet on vacation (derogatory)
July 22, 2025
oh my god, i am so well 😭
after seeing this book everywhere for a while and then seeing maria (this is her review bc its beautiful and you need to read it) say how much she loved this read and that it would be one of her favorite reads of the year i IMMEDIATELY went to go download this audiobook not knowing anything about it and i am BEYOND happy i did.
the friendship between the two MCs, the YEARNING!!! the found family!!!! the setting!!!
let me tell you first - this cover is deceiving as all get out 😂. tell me why i thought this would be a cutie friends to lovers beach read and next thing i know im in shambles within the first ten chapters 😂 (i loved every minute of it too). i have not felt this kind of physical pain reading a second chance book since happy place, which i adored and have been chasing that high since so while i know this is said to be PWMOV vibes, i get happy place with a sprinkle of PWMOV 🙂↕️
i am a friends to lovers STAN, it is one of my favorite tropes and paired with second chance??? CHEFS KISS. i have been hitting a really hard reading slump lately in the sense that while i’m able to read, i havent been enjoying literally anything, until this book 😭🩵
joni and ren to put it quite plainly were made for each other, their friendship is such a beautiful thing to watch especially as they are navigating being in each others life’s once again.
it is no secret that im not the biggest dual timeline fan, more often than not it throws me out of the story and all i care about is getting back to the present pov but this book made the flashbacks feel SO seamless (and necessary, it didnt just happen to happen) that i actually really enjoyed that aspect and found myself wanting to get a little more of the past joni & ren.
overall, i had the best time binge listening to this book all day and im already looking forward to rereading this in the future. the writing and story telling was so phenomenal for me. i physically felt all of joni & rens pain and joy the entire time almost like i was there in the story with everyone. this being a debut novel on top of everything is just insane to me in the best way and i can already say that sally has an auto buy fan for life, i cant wait to see what gets put out next!! 🩵
after seeing this book everywhere for a while and then seeing maria (this is her review bc its beautiful and you need to read it) say how much she loved this read and that it would be one of her favorite reads of the year i IMMEDIATELY went to go download this audiobook not knowing anything about it and i am BEYOND happy i did.
the friendship between the two MCs, the YEARNING!!! the found family!!!! the setting!!!
let me tell you first - this cover is deceiving as all get out 😂. tell me why i thought this would be a cutie friends to lovers beach read and next thing i know im in shambles within the first ten chapters 😂 (i loved every minute of it too). i have not felt this kind of physical pain reading a second chance book since happy place, which i adored and have been chasing that high since so while i know this is said to be PWMOV vibes, i get happy place with a sprinkle of PWMOV 🙂↕️
i am a friends to lovers STAN, it is one of my favorite tropes and paired with second chance??? CHEFS KISS. i have been hitting a really hard reading slump lately in the sense that while i’m able to read, i havent been enjoying literally anything, until this book 😭🩵
joni and ren to put it quite plainly were made for each other, their friendship is such a beautiful thing to watch especially as they are navigating being in each others life’s once again.
it is no secret that im not the biggest dual timeline fan, more often than not it throws me out of the story and all i care about is getting back to the present pov but this book made the flashbacks feel SO seamless (and necessary, it didnt just happen to happen) that i actually really enjoyed that aspect and found myself wanting to get a little more of the past joni & ren.
overall, i had the best time binge listening to this book all day and im already looking forward to rereading this in the future. the writing and story telling was so phenomenal for me. i physically felt all of joni & rens pain and joy the entire time almost like i was there in the story with everyone. this being a debut novel on top of everything is just insane to me in the best way and i can already say that sally has an auto buy fan for life, i cant wait to see what gets put out next!! 🩵
July 23, 2025
this feels cruel. like, truly evil business but i fully expected to give this five stars 😕
this is pwmov’s reheated nachos to a goddamn T. i can’t think of one aspect i liked which, genuinely, makes me really sad since this seemed like the perfect book to pick up this summer
and the conflict that kept them apart for two years? SPARE ME. joni was a villain for that and they really don’t even discuss it/get together throughout the duration of this book…where was the romance? the rekindling? the yearning these two besties were attempting to hide? nonexistent. nil. this was a whole bunch of fooey and i wish i could unread it, what a waste of time!!!!
thank you(?) to netgalley and canary street press for the arc
this is pwmov’s reheated nachos to a goddamn T. i can’t think of one aspect i liked which, genuinely, makes me really sad since this seemed like the perfect book to pick up this summer
and the conflict that kept them apart for two years? SPARE ME. joni was a villain for that and they really don’t even discuss it/get together throughout the duration of this book…where was the romance? the rekindling? the yearning these two besties were attempting to hide? nonexistent. nil. this was a whole bunch of fooey and i wish i could unread it, what a waste of time!!!!
thank you(?) to netgalley and canary street press for the arc
Read
May 2, 2025Got the arc for this and i’ve been only seeing great things about this book!! So excited!🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️
May 9, 2025
3.5 ⭐
This book made me feel like I was reading a manhwa. I mean, I do enjoy a good friends-to-lovers story, and I love the dual timeline trope. But honestly, if the characters had just communicated, this book would’ve been way shorter. It just dragged... and dragged... and dragged.
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
SKIP CHAPTER: 22
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the free eARC 💕
This book made me feel like I was reading a manhwa. I mean, I do enjoy a good friends-to-lovers story, and I love the dual timeline trope. But honestly, if the characters had just communicated, this book would’ve been way shorter. It just dragged... and dragged... and dragged.
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
SKIP CHAPTER: 22
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the free eARC 💕
July 28, 2025
I picked this up because it seemed like the perfect summer read, and everyone has been saying that it’s a mix of happy place and people we meet on vacation. First of all, where are the similarities with happy place? Nowhere to be found, that’s for sure. Second of all, this book wishes it was people we meet on vacation!
I feel like I wasted my time reading it. It just dragged on and on. The characters don't stand out — the MMC is dull and the FMC irritating. I didn’t care about them or their problems. I struggled to connect with these characters; to me, they're just words on paper.
Joni and Ren have been best friends for years, and they go to weddings together as each other's plus ones. They end up getting together at one of these weddings, only for things to end at the next one they attend. This was all because Joni couldn’t communicate with Ren. I understand anxiety and can empathise with her point of view, but the miscommunication made no sense, and it was ridiculous that they spent two and a half years not speaking to each other because of it.
As someone who loves second chance romance and friends-to-lovers, I’m highly disappointed. Where was the yearning, the angst and the pining?
This is just my opinion - I don't want to stop anyone from reading the book - but I feel like I've read a completely different story to the one that so many people have been raving about.
I feel like I wasted my time reading it. It just dragged on and on. The characters don't stand out — the MMC is dull and the FMC irritating. I didn’t care about them or their problems. I struggled to connect with these characters; to me, they're just words on paper.
Joni and Ren have been best friends for years, and they go to weddings together as each other's plus ones. They end up getting together at one of these weddings, only for things to end at the next one they attend. This was all because Joni couldn’t communicate with Ren. I understand anxiety and can empathise with her point of view, but the miscommunication made no sense, and it was ridiculous that they spent two and a half years not speaking to each other because of it.
As someone who loves second chance romance and friends-to-lovers, I’m highly disappointed. Where was the yearning, the angst and the pining?
This is just my opinion - I don't want to stop anyone from reading the book - but I feel like I've read a completely different story to the one that so many people have been raving about.
July 28, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press as well as the author for providing me with this audio ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
This was a cute book, but FMC was annoying imo. Ren, the MMC, was amazing, sweet, great friend, willing to do anything for Joni. Joni, the FMC though...ehhhh. I just found her annoying. Especially how she just left without explaining why and cut him off for 2.5 years. Couldn't just tell him? Couldn't have open communication? And then she tells him she wants him to wait?? after all this waiting he's already done??? UGHHH!
Anyways....it was a good read just annoyed me. Cute ending though.
This was a cute book, but FMC was annoying imo. Ren, the MMC, was amazing, sweet, great friend, willing to do anything for Joni. Joni, the FMC though...ehhhh. I just found her annoying. Especially how she just left without explaining why and cut him off for 2.5 years. Couldn't just tell him? Couldn't have open communication? And then she tells him she wants him to wait?? after all this waiting he's already done??? UGHHH!
Anyways....it was a good read just annoyed me. Cute ending though.
October 5, 2025
these bitches made me cry
July 14, 2025
Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. 🎧
🌞 Blurb 🌞
“Best friends Joni and Ren have been inseparable since childhood. So when Joni moves across the country for her job, the two devise a creative way to stay in touch: they’ll be each other’s plus-ones every year for wedding season, no matter what else is happening in their lives.
It’s a tradition that works, until a line is crossed and the friendship they once thought was forever is ruined.
Now Joni is back at their families’ shared summer home for her sister’s wedding, and she’s determined to make the week perfect, even if it means faking a friendship with Ren—and avoiding the truth of why they have to fake it in the first place. How hard can it be to pretend to be friends with the person who once knew you best?
But as sunny beach days together turn into starry nights, Joni begins to question what her life is without Ren in it. And when the wedding arrives, bringing past heartaches to the surface, she’ll be forced to decide if loving Ren means letting him go, or if theirs is a love story worth fighting for.”
🌊 My Thoughts 🌊
This was a cute and fun romance, but I can understand why some people think that knowing the tropes of the story spoils the book, because the title itself of this book basically gives the plot away. 😂 But with romances, it’s known that endings are pretty predictable because they end up together at the end unless it’s Titanic or a love-triangle, then you either end up with a broken heart or have to guess who ends up with who.
Now, with that said, it’s safe to say that I enjoyed the book. I think Sally Blakely made a good call in making this a dual narrative. The reader gets to see their friendship up close and how close they were, which makes the “friendship is ruined” plot so much more interesting. I’m a sucker for friends-to-lovers tropes, and this was no exception. 🥰 It makes me feel all the more lonely. 😂
In the description for this book, it said that it’s for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty and People We Meet on Vacation. I haven’t read either of these books, but I think it’s mentioned for the summer vibes. If so, it delivered. Staying in a beach house in Oregon sounds like so much fun! I just wanted to pack my bags and catch the earliest flight to the beautiful state. 🏖
I don’t really have anything bad to say about the book. The writing was great, the story was entertaining (especially with Patti Murin narrating it 🫶🏼), and the ending was satisfying. 😌 But I didn’t rate this 5 stars because I just didn’t fall in love with Ren and Joni as a couple. Sure, they were fun and cute, but if they didn’t end up together, it wouldn’t make me howl at the moon in dismay. Maybe it was because their friendship was cute to begin with, so the romance was just meh to me. I think it’s a me-problem. It usually always is! 😂😉
I do recommend this book, though. It really was a fun, summery romance that I enjoyed and would read again. Was it my favorite? No, but that doesn’t matter. It was good and that’s all that matters. ❤
🌞 Blurb 🌞
“Best friends Joni and Ren have been inseparable since childhood. So when Joni moves across the country for her job, the two devise a creative way to stay in touch: they’ll be each other’s plus-ones every year for wedding season, no matter what else is happening in their lives.
It’s a tradition that works, until a line is crossed and the friendship they once thought was forever is ruined.
Now Joni is back at their families’ shared summer home for her sister’s wedding, and she’s determined to make the week perfect, even if it means faking a friendship with Ren—and avoiding the truth of why they have to fake it in the first place. How hard can it be to pretend to be friends with the person who once knew you best?
But as sunny beach days together turn into starry nights, Joni begins to question what her life is without Ren in it. And when the wedding arrives, bringing past heartaches to the surface, she’ll be forced to decide if loving Ren means letting him go, or if theirs is a love story worth fighting for.”
🌊 My Thoughts 🌊
This was a cute and fun romance, but I can understand why some people think that knowing the tropes of the story spoils the book, because the title itself of this book basically gives the plot away. 😂 But with romances, it’s known that endings are pretty predictable because they end up together at the end unless it’s Titanic or a love-triangle, then you either end up with a broken heart or have to guess who ends up with who.
Now, with that said, it’s safe to say that I enjoyed the book. I think Sally Blakely made a good call in making this a dual narrative. The reader gets to see their friendship up close and how close they were, which makes the “friendship is ruined” plot so much more interesting. I’m a sucker for friends-to-lovers tropes, and this was no exception. 🥰 It makes me feel all the more lonely. 😂
In the description for this book, it said that it’s for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty and People We Meet on Vacation. I haven’t read either of these books, but I think it’s mentioned for the summer vibes. If so, it delivered. Staying in a beach house in Oregon sounds like so much fun! I just wanted to pack my bags and catch the earliest flight to the beautiful state. 🏖
I don’t really have anything bad to say about the book. The writing was great, the story was entertaining (especially with Patti Murin narrating it 🫶🏼), and the ending was satisfying. 😌 But I didn’t rate this 5 stars because I just didn’t fall in love with Ren and Joni as a couple. Sure, they were fun and cute, but if they didn’t end up together, it wouldn’t make me howl at the moon in dismay. Maybe it was because their friendship was cute to begin with, so the romance was just meh to me. I think it’s a me-problem. It usually always is! 😂😉
I do recommend this book, though. It really was a fun, summery romance that I enjoyed and would read again. Was it my favorite? No, but that doesn’t matter. It was good and that’s all that matters. ❤
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May 23, 2025
so i’m conflicted.
i didn’t like how it rung so similar to people we meet on vacation, but judging by the reviews that’s a me thing.
the writing was subpar, nothing new or extraordinary. it wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t anything to leave a lasting impression on me.
i finished this 5 minutes ago and GENUINELY forgot every single detail…
so i’m sorry guys but i forgot to write notes as i was reading so this won’t be getting a full review 😭💔
pre-read
GUESS WHO GOT THE ARCCCC 💪😍
Thank you so much Netgalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
i didn’t like how it rung so similar to people we meet on vacation, but judging by the reviews that’s a me thing.
the writing was subpar, nothing new or extraordinary. it wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t anything to leave a lasting impression on me.
i finished this 5 minutes ago and GENUINELY forgot every single detail…
so i’m sorry guys but i forgot to write notes as i was reading so this won’t be getting a full review 😭💔
pre-read
GUESS WHO GOT THE ARCCCC 💪😍
Thank you so much Netgalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
July 22, 2025
Happy release day to a new favorite 🩵
Oh I loved this so much!!! This gave PWMOV (friends to lovers alternate timelines) x The Ex Vows (coming together for a wedding) x The Summer I Turned Pretty (family dynamics & the beach house) aka all my favorites so I ate this right up. I personally love friends to lovers and thought this was a beautifully done story with that trope. If you love Emily Henry I think you’d love this one!! From page one I was in love. The writing, pacing, and storytelling were all excellent. I was constantly engaged and glued to the pages, invested in Joni and Ren’s story. I loved the dual timeline to give us a good understanding of Joni and Ren’s friendship progressing into a relationship. I absolutely loved the beach house setting and the dynamics between all the family members. LOVED Joni’s relationship with her younger sister as an older sister myself <3 i loved Joni and her character growth. I could really relate to her a lot with feeling lost and anxious about where life might take us. I really enjoyed all the characters and the bits we got about each of them and the roles they played in this story. I obviously loved the romance and could literally feel the yearning coming off the pages!! These two were so obviously meant to be and their story made me so emotional. Overall an excellent summer romance that I highly recommend <3
Oh I loved this so much!!! This gave PWMOV (friends to lovers alternate timelines) x The Ex Vows (coming together for a wedding) x The Summer I Turned Pretty (family dynamics & the beach house) aka all my favorites so I ate this right up. I personally love friends to lovers and thought this was a beautifully done story with that trope. If you love Emily Henry I think you’d love this one!! From page one I was in love. The writing, pacing, and storytelling were all excellent. I was constantly engaged and glued to the pages, invested in Joni and Ren’s story. I loved the dual timeline to give us a good understanding of Joni and Ren’s friendship progressing into a relationship. I absolutely loved the beach house setting and the dynamics between all the family members. LOVED Joni’s relationship with her younger sister as an older sister myself <3 i loved Joni and her character growth. I could really relate to her a lot with feeling lost and anxious about where life might take us. I really enjoyed all the characters and the bits we got about each of them and the roles they played in this story. I obviously loved the romance and could literally feel the yearning coming off the pages!! These two were so obviously meant to be and their story made me so emotional. Overall an excellent summer romance that I highly recommend <3
July 29, 2025
*3.5! ⭐️ I liked it but didn’t love! I’ve just been feeling a little lukewarm about a lot of new romance releases lately…
the setup between Joni & Ren had so much potential, and I really loved the concept of the plot (it’s such a fun and summery idea)! but their dynamic felt more like long-standing mutual pining than true friendship, which made the “friends to lovers” label feel a bit off.
there were definitely sweet and heartfelt moments, and the book as a whole was super breezy and enjoyable. I just found myself wishing for a bit more – dual POV, more yearning, more depth… something to make it really stick with me!
I picked this up because it’s been compared to the summer of broken rules, people we meet on vacation, the summer I turned pretty, and happy place, and I totally see those influences! but in trying to channel all of them, it lost a little of its own voice for me.
that said, I was really impressed that this is a debut. the writing was smooth, the concept was clever, and I’d definitely read more from sally in the future 💝 a sweet, summery read! easy to fly through even if it didn’t totally leave a lasting impression!
the setup between Joni & Ren had so much potential, and I really loved the concept of the plot (it’s such a fun and summery idea)! but their dynamic felt more like long-standing mutual pining than true friendship, which made the “friends to lovers” label feel a bit off.
there were definitely sweet and heartfelt moments, and the book as a whole was super breezy and enjoyable. I just found myself wishing for a bit more – dual POV, more yearning, more depth… something to make it really stick with me!
I picked this up because it’s been compared to the summer of broken rules, people we meet on vacation, the summer I turned pretty, and happy place, and I totally see those influences! but in trying to channel all of them, it lost a little of its own voice for me.
that said, I was really impressed that this is a debut. the writing was smooth, the concept was clever, and I’d definitely read more from sally in the future 💝 a sweet, summery read! easy to fly through even if it didn’t totally leave a lasting impression!
January 20, 2025
I admit it. I am a total sucker for second-chance romance and friends-to-lovers romance.
So when this book hit my hands, I could not stop reading. My heart was breaking on one page only to smile and laugh at their antics on the next as they tried to act normal around family. A permanent plus one for weddings, they cannot help but be together, especially at her sister’s wedding festivities.
This author loaded in the angst as we are tossed back and forth between today and the past as we learn what broke them. It seemed like it took forever to get them back together and not having a conversation made it worse. Plus family stress and craziness didn’t help much either!
I loved so much about Friends to Lovers. Ren is a sweetheart and his love for Joni made my heart break. I wanted to shout at her so many times!
Blakely could have made this a 5-star for me if we got a longer together story. I hate that we only get one chapter or so. We go through so much with them, why can’t we celebrate the swoon and love for a bit longer???
For a first book, this is an awesome story, especially for those who love second chances and friends-to-lovers romance. I will definitely keep this author on my radar for more!
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
** Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/friends-to-l...
So when this book hit my hands, I could not stop reading. My heart was breaking on one page only to smile and laugh at their antics on the next as they tried to act normal around family. A permanent plus one for weddings, they cannot help but be together, especially at her sister’s wedding festivities.
This author loaded in the angst as we are tossed back and forth between today and the past as we learn what broke them. It seemed like it took forever to get them back together and not having a conversation made it worse. Plus family stress and craziness didn’t help much either!
I loved so much about Friends to Lovers. Ren is a sweetheart and his love for Joni made my heart break. I wanted to shout at her so many times!
Blakely could have made this a 5-star for me if we got a longer together story. I hate that we only get one chapter or so. We go through so much with them, why can’t we celebrate the swoon and love for a bit longer???
For a first book, this is an awesome story, especially for those who love second chances and friends-to-lovers romance. I will definitely keep this author on my radar for more!
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
** Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/friends-to-l...
May 20, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Canary Street Press for the opportunity to review the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
For fans of:
Former friends to lovers
Second chance romance
Forced proximity
He falls first
Joni and Ren were best friends until they crossed the line that would take them out of the friend zone and caused their whole relationship to come crashing down. They were always each other’s plus one and now they just do it again at Joni’s sister’s wedding. On top of that, they have to act like nothing is wrong.
This was such a fun read. The tension between these two was just so so good. What a great debut!
For fans of:
Former friends to lovers
Second chance romance
Forced proximity
He falls first
Joni and Ren were best friends until they crossed the line that would take them out of the friend zone and caused their whole relationship to come crashing down. They were always each other’s plus one and now they just do it again at Joni’s sister’s wedding. On top of that, they have to act like nothing is wrong.
This was such a fun read. The tension between these two was just so so good. What a great debut!
July 22, 2025
･ﾟ 𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 ·˚˖‧
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝑪𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔, 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒐, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪!
❝ I think about all the ways he’s sound-tracked my life, tried to tell me things I didn’t know to look for in his meticulous playlists.❞
╰𝚂𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚛 𝙵𝚛𝚎𝚎╮
✦ Pub Date: 22 Jul 2025
✦ Rating: 3/5
✦ Genre: Romance
✦ POV: 1st Single
✦ Spice: 1/5
✦ Age: 16+
࣪ ִֶָ 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘 ·˚˖
Childhood best friends. One summer wedding, and the feelings they never really left behind.
·˚˖ 𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 ˖˚·
Perfect for summer, cozy and light vibes, friendships, family, and issues that need to be worked through.
Thank you for the recommendation, Anna (@annareadit)!
But the book didn’t completely hook me — and that’s okay, it happens. I usually love this trope, and at first everything was going well, but the further I got, the more I started to lose interest...🫣
The writing is easy and flows quickly. There weren’t any intense emotional highs or lows, and even the second-chance aspect felt quite light.
I listened to the audiobook, and it added such a nice touch to the atmosphere. It was really pleasant to listen to.
·˚˖ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 ˖˚·
▪︎ Joni — she didn’t annoy me, and at times I really understood her. The way she struggles to figure out what she wants, how she wants the best for everyone… but her silence makes it hard for others to truly see her.
▪︎ Ren — he’s such a comfort character, total green flag.
What I love about the friends-to-lovers trope is how well they know each other, and here we get to see their shared history, so it’s clear how much Ren truly cares about Joni.
I think it would’ve been even better if we had chapters from his POV too.
▪︎ Side characters — mostly friends and family, two families who found each other and became one big family, and I love that kind of dynamic.
࣪ ִֶָ ⊹ 𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 ·˚˖
↠Childhood bestfriends to lovers
↠Second chance
↠Forced proximity
↠Slow burn
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝑪𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔, 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒐, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪!
❝ I think about all the ways he’s sound-tracked my life, tried to tell me things I didn’t know to look for in his meticulous playlists.❞
╰𝚂𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚛 𝙵𝚛𝚎𝚎╮
✦ Pub Date: 22 Jul 2025
✦ Rating: 3/5
✦ Genre: Romance
✦ POV: 1st Single
✦ Spice: 1/5
✦ Age: 16+
࣪ ִֶָ 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘 ·˚˖
Childhood best friends. One summer wedding, and the feelings they never really left behind.
·˚˖ 𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 ˖˚·
Perfect for summer, cozy and light vibes, friendships, family, and issues that need to be worked through.
Thank you for the recommendation, Anna (@annareadit)!
But the book didn’t completely hook me — and that’s okay, it happens. I usually love this trope, and at first everything was going well, but the further I got, the more I started to lose interest...🫣
The writing is easy and flows quickly. There weren’t any intense emotional highs or lows, and even the second-chance aspect felt quite light.
I listened to the audiobook, and it added such a nice touch to the atmosphere. It was really pleasant to listen to.
·˚˖ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 ˖˚·
▪︎ Joni — she didn’t annoy me, and at times I really understood her. The way she struggles to figure out what she wants, how she wants the best for everyone… but her silence makes it hard for others to truly see her.
▪︎ Ren — he’s such a comfort character, total green flag.
What I love about the friends-to-lovers trope is how well they know each other, and here we get to see their shared history, so it’s clear how much Ren truly cares about Joni.
I think it would’ve been even better if we had chapters from his POV too.
▪︎ Side characters — mostly friends and family, two families who found each other and became one big family, and I love that kind of dynamic.
࣪ ִֶָ ⊹ 𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 ·˚˖
↠Childhood bestfriends to lovers
↠Second chance
↠Forced proximity
↠Slow burn
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